Enstrom 480b vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer vs Pilatus Pc 24 vs Piper M600 Sls
The Enstrom 480B and the MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer are light turbine helicopters suited to short-range missions; both typically offer a few hundred nautical miles of range, with the 480B generally configured for about five seats and the 902 commonly seating around seven to eight. They excel at point-to-point access where landing space is limited, but their range and cruise speed are well below the fixed-wing options. The Pilatus PC-24 is a light business jet designed for longer, faster trips, typically covering roughly 1,800–2,000 nautical miles with about six to eight passengers in a standard executive layout (more in high-density configurations). It targets regional-to-transcontinental missions and higher utilization. The Piper M600 SLS is a single-engine turboprop, bridging the gap between helicopters and jets, with typical range on the order of 1,400–1,600 nautical miles and usually seating about five to six passengers. It offers jet-like pace for many trips with lower operating complexity than a light jet.
| Spec | Pilatus PC-24 | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 3.71 | $ 2.19 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Manufacturer | Pilatus | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | PC-24 | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 2076 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.62 | $ 0.55 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6680 | 2200 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,619 | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 440 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $11,800,000 | $3,081,400 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | — |
| Jump Seat | No | — |
| Cargo Door | Yes | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 5 |
| Galley Location | FWD | MID |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | — |
| Lavatory Location | FWD | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9.3 | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Optional Refreshment Center | Refreshment Centre |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23500 | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 8644 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | No |
| Model | FJ44-4A-QPM | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 3600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 23 | ISA + 55 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 3435 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| Horsepower | — | 600 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 260 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 52.2 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 55.8 | 43.2 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.6 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 5.1 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 23 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.4 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.8 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 17 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 90 | 20 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 165 |